# NASA Perseverance Rover Collects Ancient Gabbro Sample on Mars

The rover successfully cored the Singita rock sample after overcoming significant drilling challenges.

- **Source:** [NASA – Recently Published](https://www.nasa.gov)
- **Published:** 2026-11-09
- **Topic:** [science](https://brifing.si/c/science)
- **Original article:** <https://science.nasa.gov/blog/newest-sample-oldest-rock/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ce41ba51-f2bb-43d9-ba0c-870c78b367cf

## Successful Coring Operation

NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully collected a new rock sample named Singita on October 24, 2026. This achievement occurred on Sol 2018, marking the rover's first successful sample acquisition in over a year. The process involved precise drilling operations using the rover's onboard coring bit and robotic arm assembly.

## Targeting Gabbroic Rocks

The mission team specifically sought a gabbro rock, which is an igneous formation composed of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene crystals. Scientists prioritized this material to enhance the diversity of the current collection. The team identified a suitable candidate after moving 100 meters to a new workspace of light-toned rocks.

## Overcoming Previous Failures

The successful extraction followed a previous attempt on a rock called Badger Peak, which proved too hard to core. To improve success odds, engineers selected a neighboring rock with a flatter surface. They also utilized a coring bit with less wear, allowing the drill to penetrate 3.1 centimeters into the surface.

## Geological Significance

While Singita represents the newest addition to the collection, it may be among the oldest rocks gathered by the rover. Textures within the sample suggest it formed deep within the Martian crust. The rock appears to have been modified and excavated by one or more significant impact events over time.

## Mission Status Nominal

The latest mission status report confirms that the Perseverance rover remains healthy and stable on the Martian surface. With this successful operation, the rover has now completed its 66th abrasion. The spacecraft is currently operating in a nominal state, indicating that all systems are functioning as expected for future exploration.

## Technical Imaging Process

The team utilized the Mastcam-Z camera to document the Singita sample inside the coring bit. Additionally, the SHERLOC WATSON camera, located on the robotic arm turret, captured detailed imagery of the Pumbe abrasion patch. These high-resolution images provide critical visual data for scientists analyzing the chemical composition of the site.

## Context of Exploration

Perseverance serves as the first leg of the Mars Sample Return Campaign, an ambitious interplanetary relay mission. Its primary objective involves collecting diverse geological samples that could reveal the history of the Red Planet. By studying these materials, researchers aim to understand the past, present, and future potential for life.

## Future Scientific Outlook

The successful collection of Singita demonstrates the rover's continued capability for fruitful exploration. As the mission progresses, the team plans to conduct many more abrasions across the Jezero Crater. These ongoing efforts remain essential for building a comprehensive geological record that will eventually be returned to Earth for detailed laboratory analysis.

## Sources covering this story

- https://science.nasa.gov/blog/newest-sample-oldest-rock/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._